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Lincoln seat recalls: seats that shift, fold or recline
Seats are the most repeated Lincoln trouble spot here, and the pattern splits by model. Navigator issues are assembly defects: missing J-Channel reinforcement brackets in the 2018 second-row center seat, an insufficiently welded second-row headrest bracket in 2020, and weak front seat back recliner structures covered alongside Ford models in 2019. Aviator dominates the newer recalls. The easy-entry switch for the second-row outer seats can bind or stick and let a seat unlatch, fold, tip or slide, recalled in 2025 for 2020-2025 cars and again in 2026 through 2027; 2022 front power head restraint cushions can detach; and 2025-2027 driver's seats can recline on their own. Separately, 16-way tilt seats in 2016-2018 MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus can chafe airbag wiring.
Warning signs to watch for
- A second-row outer seat in an Aviator that unlatches, folds, tips or slides unexpectedly, or an easy-entry switch that binds or sticks.
- A front power head restraint cushion that detaches when moved to the full forward position (2022 Aviator).
- The unoccupied driver's seat reclining by itself after a remote start or remote unlock.
- A second-row center seat that can move, or a front seat back that gives way more than it should.
- The missing brackets, the under-welded headrest bracket and the chafed 16-way seat wiring give no warning an owner would notice from the driver's seat.
Is it safe to keep driving?
No recall in this group tells owners to stop driving or park outside, so you may keep driving while you wait. Two deserve care. If an easy-entry second-row seat in an Aviator has unlatched or slid on its own, do not seat a passenger there until the switch bezel is replaced, and parts for the 2026 campaign arrive in phases. With the reclining driver's seat, avoid leaving anyone in the second row behind an empty driver's seat when using remote start or remote unlock.
What the free repair involves
Repairs vary: dealers inspect second-row seat frames and replace them where brackets or welds are bad, inspect and replace front seat back structures, replace 2022 Aviator head restraints, and replace the bezel around the easy-entry switch. On MKX and Nautilus they add flocking tape to the 16-way seat cushion frame and check the wire harness. For the reclining driver's seat, the feature is disabled, then the motor replaced. All free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
| medium | 5 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-21 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator driver's seat reclines unexpectedly | medium |
| 2026-07-14 | More Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator second-row seats may move | medium |
| 2025-06-13 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator second-row seats may shift | medium |
| 2022-04-14 | Lincoln Aviator front headrest cushions can come off | medium |
| 2020-07-17 | Lincoln MKX and Nautilus power seats can damage airbag wiring | high |
| 2020-06-23 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator rear headrest bracket weld | medium |
| 2019-08-28 | Ford and Lincoln seat backs may be dangerously weak | high |
| 2018-11-14 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Second-Row Seat May Shift | high |
Common questions
Why has the Aviator second-row seat switch been recalled twice?
The 2025 recall covered 2020-2025 Aviators, and the 2026 recall extends the same binding-switch problem through 2027. The newer campaign is phased by model and model year, so the bezel replacement may not be available for your vehicle yet.
Is it safe to carry passengers in the second row?
Ford does not restrict it and no notice tells owners to stop driving. But if an easy-entry seat has unlatched, folded or slid on its own, treat that position as unreliable and have the switch bezel replaced before seating someone there.
What should I do about a driver's seat that reclines by itself?
That recall covers 2025-2027 Aviators and happens in scenarios such as remote unlock or remote start. Until the dealer disables the driver seat module feature and later replaces the motor, avoid leaving anyone seated directly behind an unoccupied driver's seat.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.